TV shows are increasingly trying to keep the audience's attention after broadcast—and, with much of the population seemingly unable to keep their eyes off their mobile devices for more than ten seconds, often during it. Sponsors associated with shows also want their share of the eyeballs. So, following on from Kiwibank's attempt to increase audience engagement with its Block Out Live Bingo-style game for The Block NZ, Genesis Energy has added another string to MKR NZ's bow with an online quiz called Guess the Ingredients.

Social scoreboard

Zavy and StopPress have worked together to create a scoreboard that compares how the top 25 traditional media advertising spenders in New Zealand have performed on social media over the past 30 days, updated in real time.

Genesis Energy, the largest electricity and gas retailer in the country, announced yesterday that it would not be knocking on doors and offering switching sweeteners after a survey showed, lo and behold, that New Zealanders found the practice intrusive and annoying. So it's launched a campaign via .99 and justONE that asks Kiwis to return the favour and go knocking on Genesis Energy’s door when they begin their search.

.99 is often thought of as a retail shop. That is its main area of expertise, of course, and there's no doubt its production processes and studio facilities are a big part of its appeal to clients—and one of the major reasons it won five out of five pitches in recent months and managed to recover super quickly from a horror year in 2012. But it has had its creative moments as well, perhaps none more so than the inflight videos for Air New Zealand, and it's shown its creative stripes once again for one of its new clients Genesis Energy, with a brand refresh that centres around a split-screen TVC that shows how the company is 'in it for you'.

As Genesis, the country's biggest spending energy company, gets set to announce the results of its recent pitch, Contact, the country's second biggest spending energy company, is also searching for some new agency partners, although, judging by the number of go-to industry gossips who didn't know about it, it seems to have been a slightly more exclusive affair.

Given Genesis Energy is the biggest spender in the electricity sector, clocking in with a very specific $4,408,317 in the year to July according to Nielsen's AIS data, the news it was up for pitch whipped up a bit of excitement in agency land. From what we've heard, pretty much every non-conflicted man and his dog was in the room at the RFP stage, which could either be seen as an indication Genesis was testing the whole market to find the best partner or it didn't know what kind of agency it actually wanted. But reliable sources have informed us the shortlist has now been decided on, with .99, Y&R, M&C Saatchi and DraftFCB thought to be getting set to fight it out for creative duties and Spark and Naked thought to be in the running for media.

Who's it for: HRV by Y&amp;R Auckland and Curious Film
Why we like it: Comparing the quality of New Zealand with the poor quality of New Zealand's housing stock is smart idea and offers a nice combination of pride and shame. Beautifully shot, a great song and ...

When it rains it pours. After a brief dry spell on the new ad front, numerous newbies have recently been set free. So, for your viewing—and possibly even critiquing—pleasure, a selection of the freshest TV cuts, including Mitsubishi's new brand ad by Clemenger BBDO, Meridian and Assignment Group's polar expedition, TVNZ's new patriotic promo for its news and current affairs offering, State Insurance and Colenso's fireproof box promo, Sealord and Saatchi &amp; Saatchi's wonderous condiment contraptions, DraftFCB's latest work for Genesis Energy and Gregg's and Lumino and Wag the Dog's extended, nationwide tonsil hockey tour.

Who's it for: Genesis Energy
Why we like it: DraftFCB keep it old school and bravely employ the services of real, surprisingly practical, pukekos for their new TVC, instead of copping out, getting some method actor to put on a pukeko suit and head down to the ...

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Hey well done TBWA - great 2 Degrees have gone back to their roots with the agency that launched the brand so successfully, well done Catherine, Shane and team. A nice way to end the year and good that 2 ...

Genius From Elsewhere

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Fast Company talks to Pentagram designer Michael Bierut about work collaboration platform Slack’s recent rebrand, including killing off the company’s longstanding hashtag logo.

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Barbara Proctor, the first African-American woman to own an advertising agency, has died at the age of 86. The Boston Globe reports that she moved into advertising when she understood its sway over the American culture, and fearing her race and gender would impede her advancement, she decided to start her own business.

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With Super Bowl 53 coming up in early February, Hotels.com is giving fans of the winning team a chance of a free room. AdWeek reports that this is in the hope of continuing the Super Bowl statistic that the “birth rate in winning cities goes up nine months after the game.”

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With Gillette’s ‘The Best Men Can Be’ campaign causing a stir, Josh Barro has done a piece for New York Magazine on why he believes Nike’s controversial ad with Colin Kaepernick worked while Gillette’s doesn’t. Barro says that Nike’s message to customers to “uplifting rather than accusatory.”

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Swedish online payment brand Klarna has revealed Snoop Dogg as its new brand ambassador. The rather bizarre ad features the rapper surrounded by Afghan Hounds, rechristened as ‘Smooth Dogg’, and taking part in a coronation with attendees wearing pink silk robes.

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Why we like it: Getting to the gym in January after a relaxing summer is probably tougher than any other time of the year. But this ad from Les Mills, introducing its ‘Live Forward’ concept, might be the antidote. Featuring shots of peppy Les Mills instructors and members in a variety of classes and activities, instead of turning to chocolate (see below) you could see it as the motivation and encouragement you’ve been waiting for.

Who’s it for: Whittaker’s by Brewery Studio

Why we like it: For lovers of chocolate and pottery, this is an edible match made in heaven. Waiheke-based ceramicist Thea Ceramics ‘throws’ chocolate on the pottery wheel to create a vase able to hold flowers. While the longevity and function of such a vase can be called into question, it is undeniably a cute and enjoyable spot.

Who’s it for: NZTA by Clemenger BBDO

Why we like it: It is seen as a rite of passage for young Kiwi drivers to have a car that looks as if it might not pass its WOF, but this ad is working to encourage parents to purchase safer cars for their offspring to reduce fatalities. The undercover experts chat to the families with a good mix of humour and seriousness about the consequences of what happens in a car crash if your vehicle doesn't have the correct safety rating or airbags. We hope to see the safety message get through.